News reports say Iowa State’s provost “will likely” be announced as the next president of the University of Northern Iowa.

The Des Moines Register reported Thursday that Benjamin Allen, ISU provost and vice president for academic affairs, would likely be named the next UNI president, citing undisclosed sources who were close to the search.

The Iowa Board of Regents will meet at 3 p.m. Friday in Cedar Falls to vote on the replacement for current UNI President Robert Koob, who announced his intent to retire in November 2005.

“He is clearly ready for a presidency position,” said ISU President Gregory Geoffroy in past Daily staff reports. “Ben [Allen] has been an absolutely outstanding provost at Iowa State, and he has done a fantastic job on campus.”

As provost, Allen is responsible for the ISU president for all aspects of the academic programs of Iowa State. He joined Iowa State in 1979 and has served as a professor of transportation and logistics, dean of the College of Business from 1995 to 2001 and interim vice president of external affairs.

“The University of Northern Iowa has a strong focus on student-centered teaching and learning and a personalized philosophy of teaching, which I have been very impressed with. And I would be very honored and excited to work in that environment,” Allen said in past Daily staff reports.

John McCarroll, executive director of university relations, said he had not heard of any speculation that Allen would be chosen for the UNI presidency.

Members of the board were mixed on speculating about the vacancy.

Davenport Regent Amir Arbisser said he was impressed with Allen as a candidate to lead Northern Iowa.

“I would be very happy to support Mr. Allen,” he said.

Iowa City Regent Robert Downer said although he would make his final decision at Friday’s meeting, he favors one candidate ahead of the others, but would not disclose who.

“As far as I’m aware, the determination on that is to be made tomorrow afternoon,” Downer said.

“Until that occurs, there is no decision that I am aware of.”

Allen is one of three finalists for the UNI presidency.

The other candidates are John Folkins, vice president for academic affairs and provost at Bowling Green State University and Stephen Lehmkuhle, senior vice president for academic affairs for the University of Missouri System.

“The university would be very well served by any of the three people,” Downer said.